[2023 National Audit] Why a Worker with 3 Billion Won in Assets Received a 9.82 Million Won Hospital Bill Refund

A total of 336 wealthy salaried workers with assets exceeding 3 billion KRW were classified as the lowest income group and received hospital expense reimbursement benefits based on the first income quintile criteria.

According to data submitted by the National Health Insurance Corporation to Choi Yeon-sook, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the People Power Party, as of last year, there were 336 workplace subscribers with assets over 3 billion KRW who received medical expense reimbursement benefits under the out-of-pocket ceiling system based on the first income quintile.

Choi Yeon-sook, member of the People Power Party.

They received refunds of up to 9.82 million KRW annually.

By asset size, 258 individuals had assets between 3 billion and 5 billion KRW, 66 had between 5 billion and 10 billion KRW, and 12 had assets exceeding 10 billion KRW. Their average monthly health insurance premiums ranged from about 15,000 KRW to 50,000 KRW, and the wealthiest individual was found to own assets worth 22.7 billion KRW.

Unlike regional subscribers who are charged health insurance premiums based on both income and assets, workplace subscribers are charged premiums only on income, so even if they have substantial assets, those with low income receive larger reimbursements.

Representative Choi stated, "It is unfair that billionaires with assets in the 10 billion KRW range are classified as the first income quintile and receive the same benefits as people with the lowest income levels," adding, "The out-of-pocket ceiling system is designed to provide differentiated medical expense support based on economic capacity and to allow vulnerable groups to receive more support, but it is being operated in a way that does not align with this purpose."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.